Open Enrollment: Choosing a Healthcare Plan (HMO, PPO, FSA, HSA, HDHP and More)

Expert Nerds talk through the complexities of open enrollment, starting with ways to assess healthcare plans and costs. This episode takes a deep dive into specific terminology and scenarios relevant to choosing health insurance coverage. Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston start with an overview of open enrollment period timelines for November and December 2023 before welcoming guest Nerd Kate Ashford to explain deductibles, premiums, HMOs, PPOs and HDHPs.  Then, NerdWallet’s Tina Orem joins the show to discuss the pros and cons of high deductible plans and the intricacies of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and both Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). In the second half of this episode, she zeroes in on selecting optimal health insurance for individual needs, discussing the merits and disadvantages of different health plans, budgeting for healthcare, and how to compare the benefits of an FSA and an HSA. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: open enrollment, health insurance options, healthcare choices, high deductible plans, premiums, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), optimal health insurance, HMOs, PPOs, HDHPs, health insurance budgeting, FSA vs HSA, the use it or lose it rule, health insurance decision-making, health insurance terminology, healthcare strategies, health plan selection, medical costs, and types of health insurance coverage. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.